When Mr Dog Bites

Dylan Mint has Tourette''s. His life is a constant battle to keep the bad stuff in - the swearing, the tics, the howling dog that seems to escape whenever he gets stressed. But a routine visit to the hospital changes everything. Overhearing a hushed conversation between the doctor and his mum, Dylan discovers that he''s going to die in March. So he makes a list of things he must do before he dies: first, he wants to have real sex with gorgeous Michelle Malloy; second, he''s got to find his autistic best friend Amir a new best bud; third, he''s got to get his dad back home from the army so they can say goodbye properly. It''s not a long list, but it''s ambitious, and he doesn''t have much time. Sometimes you''ve just got to go for it - no holding back - and see what happens . . .This is the launch of a major new writing talent. Brian Conaghan makes you travel every step of the way in Dylan''s shoes, laughing and crying - often at the same time - as Dylan faces the twists and turns of an unfair world with glorious optimism and wit.Shortlisted for The CILIP Carnegie Medal in 2015.